12. Goose
Chapter 12
Goose
I was late getting to the rink, and I couldn’t find it within myself to be sorry because it had meant precious extra minutes with Gemma.
Striding into the locker room, I was the last one to arrive. My teammates sat in their assigned stalls in various stages of gearing up, and they all peeked up with curious glances at my entrance.
Braxton’s eyebrows rose, and he paused in the middle of tying his skates. “Game’s later, Goose. What’s with the suit?”
Shucking my jacket and tossing it into my stall, I undid the buttons of my shirt next. “Need a shower.”
He eyed me critically. “Wait. A shower before practice? Is this the walk of shame?”
I shrugged, undoing my belt and unzipping my pants. Fully naked, I walked into the shower, turning the faucet until steam rose around me. Stepping beneath the warm spray, I let it soak my hair and cascade down my body.
Pumping body wash into my hand from the wall dispenser, I went to work running soap over every inch of my skin.
“What’s going on?” Jenner’s voice rose over the sound of rushing water, and I peeked over my shoulder to find him and Braxton standing at the entrance to the showers, watching me.
Braxton explained, “I think—I think —Goose came straight from a hookup, and that’s why he’s late.”
“Oh, yeah,” Jenner agreed. “Look at the way he’s cleaning his junk. He definitely got laid.”
Did they think I couldn’t hear their running commentary, or did they simply not care?
“Is there something I can do for you boys?” I asked, annoyance lacing my tone, knowing the longer I spent in the shower, the more likely it was that Maddox would make me skate for being last onto the ice.
They shared a look, but it was Jenner who finally spoke up. “Listen, man. I’ve got three kids who have somehow found their way into my bed most nights. Right now, I’m living vicariously through you.”
Turning around, presenting them with a full frontal view, a smirk curved on my lips when they averted their eyes. Yeah, I knew I was packing, and no man wanted to play the comparison game, but they’d brought this on themselves.
Next, I went for the kill.
“Are we swapping war stories? You wanna recount the last time you fucked your wives?”
Jenner’s fists clenched, and Braxton’s face turned a dark red, his jaw twitching as he gritted his teeth.
Game. Set. Match.
“Thought so.” I couldn’t wipe the smug smile from my face.
And because I didn’t already have a large enough audience, Maddox’s booming voice echoed off the tiles as he drew nearer. “What the hell is going on in here? Practice starts in five!” When he saw me naked, dripping wet, his brows drew down, but he shook his head, turning on his heel and muttering, “I don’t even want to know.”
“Coach is smarter than you two,” I taunted my teammates.
Braxton gripped the back of his neck, shifting on his feet, sufficiently chastised. “Sorry, man. Just caught us off guard showing up like that. Must’ve been a hell of a night for you to stumble in wearing a wrinkled suit.”
Shutting off the water, I grabbed a towel, running it over my head before tying it around my waist. “You have no idea.”
He and Jenner trailed behind me as I moved toward my stall. I was grateful for the surplus of team-branded apparel that was readily available to us as I grabbed an extra set of my base layer from the cubby-style locker and tugged it on over damp skin.
“I’m sorry, too,” Jenner offered. “Didn’t even know you were dating someone.”
“Yeah, you did,” I replied, pulling my jock on before shoving my legs through my padded goalie pants.
“What? When did—” Braxton stopped mid-sentence when the truth sank in. “Nooooooooo.”
His expression of pure horror was a little over the top, and I bristled. “If you don’t have anything nice to say, Slate, I suggest you keep it to yourself. “
“We are talking about the same girl, right?” Braxton visibly shuddered.
“If you mean Gemma, then yes. That’s who I was with last night, and you need to get used to it because she’s not going anywhere.” There was a rare steel edge to my tone.
He held up both hands in surrender. “Yep, got it.” Peeking at Jenner before turning back to me, he said, “But seriously, wasn’t there even a tiny part of you worried she might go all praying mantis and take you out once the deed was done?”
“Jesus,” I muttered, shaking my head as I threw on my chest pads. “I think Dakota’s imagination is rubbing off on you. Not that I owe you any details, but Gemma and I had a nice evening out, and the rest of what we did was private.”
Before he could open his mouth to say anything more, Maddox barked from the doorway, “On the ice! Now!”
Jenner clapped me on the back. “If she’s the one you’ve been searching for, I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Don’t listen to Braxton. Everyone has their bad moments. Most are lucky enough not to have them plastered all over the internet. I think he forgets the knee-jerk reaction that landed him here in Indy.”
Braxton had come over in a trade from the Connecticut Comets—our divisional rivals and the team his brother captained—halfway through his rookie season.
“You’re a good judge of character. I’m sure she’s great, and I can’t wait to meet her.” He left me to dress, the last one in the locker room.
I knew my ass was skating the second my blades touched the ice, but nothing could bring me down today.
Last night, I’d conquered Gemma’s body. Now, it was time to go after her heart.
It may have only been a few hours since I last saw Gemma, but when she opened the door, my lungs filled with air, and I felt like I could breathe for the first time since leaving her in bed this morning.
She looked incredible. Don’t get me wrong, she’d been stunning dolled up last night for our date, but dressed down, she gave off a cozy vibe that warmed my insides.
An oversized cream sweater fell off one shoulder, exposing her smooth skin. The hem hit her mid-thigh, where those luscious legs were encased in tight-fitting black leggings. Thick wool socks stretched up her calves, keeping her warm on this cold fall day. She was fresh-faced and natural, not wearing a stitch of makeup.
A shy smile graced her lips. “Hi.”
“Hey, beautiful.” Dipping my head, I kissed her softly, unable to resist. Pulling back, I held up a paper bag. “I brought lunch.”
Gemma sighed, stepping back to allow me entry. “You already bought me dinner last night and had breakfast delivered this morning.”
Fuck. I’d almost forgotten she wasn’t used to being spoiled. I hated that for her, but the silver lining was that, because of that, I had a chance with her. If some guy had treated her right years ago, I wouldn’t be here now.
I tossed the takeout bag onto the counter before pulling her into my arms. She stiffened for a split second before relaxing in my hold.
Dusting my lips over her temple, I whispered, “Let me take care of you.”
Her head dropped to rest on my shoulder, and her heavy exhale warmed my neck. “You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
When Gemma pulled back, I released her, allowing her the space she needed to have this conversation.
Eyes trained on the floor, she said, “I’ve had to learn the hard way that if something seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. And this”—those gorgeous hazel eyes peeked up—“this can’t be real because good things don’t happen to me.”
Stunned, I stared at her for a minute.
And then I remembered the cut marks on her upper thighs. She’d been in a dark place at one point in her life, and I was willing to bet whatever demons those scars represented were still lurking in her mind.
“Let’s eat.” I moved toward the discarded bag and set the contents on the counter before rummaging through the kitchen for utensils.
A disbelieving huff sounded behind me, but instead of arguing, Gemma parked herself on a stool along the partition between the kitchen and living room.
My sudden shift had been intentional, a way of steering her mind in a new direction.
If I’d learned anything from last night in my quest to make it past the door, it was that words and promises wouldn’t get me anywhere with Gemma. Proving myself through actions by being dependable and steadfast was the key to breaking past her defenses. I could be patient with her, knowing we had the rest of our lives to figure this out.
“I didn’t know what you like, so I got a little bit of everything,” I explained, pulling the lids off containers.
Gemma’s eyes widened, surveying the offering of various grilled meats and a selection of salad, pasta, and rice to place them on. “That’s a lot of food.”
“Whatever you don’t eat, I’ll polish off.”
“Seriously?” Both of her eyebrows rose. “This is enough to feed a family of six.”
Flashing her a grin, I winked. “Gotta keep up my energy. I’m a big guy.”
Under her breath, she muttered, “You can say that again.”
Fuck, if my male pride didn’t swell along with my dick when her eyes dipped to my crotch.
Folding my arms over the countertop that separated our bodies, I leaned closer to Gemma, my voice dropping an octave. “I really need that nap, Kitten, but if you keep staring at my cock with that hungry gleam in your eye, that’s not going to happen.”
Her mouth dropped open on an exhale, her pupils dilating at the thought of me fucking her again so soon after our marathon session last night.
Extending my hand, I cupped her jaw, dragging my thumb over that pillowy soft lower lip. Her pulse raced against where my fingers rested beneath her jaw, and her breathing hitched.
“So tempting,” I murmured.
When she sucked my thumb into her mouth, my knees threatened to buckle, imagining my cock in its place.
Gemma hummed, pursing her lips to draw the digit deeper.
A groan worked its way up my chest, and my grip on her face tightened. “You’re killing me, baby.”
Agonizingly slowly, she let my thumb slide free before shoving off the stool and rounding to my side of the partition.
“I’m starving, Sasha.”
My mouth went dry. This woman was on the prowl.
Clearing my throat did nothing to lessen my voice’s gravelly quality as I gestured to the food. “What do you want?”
Gemma’s gaze dropped, and she peeked at me through thick black lashes.
“You.”
When she sank to her knees before me, I was forced to grip the countertop to remain upright.
Swallowing, I tried to rein it in, but my cock had other plans. Hadn’t it gotten enough action to satisfy it last night? Or maybe it was just as obsessed with her as I was.
Her hands brushed the skin at my waistband, and I sucked in a sharp breath.
“Gemma, baby,” I groaned, my head dropping back when my joggers were shoved down my thighs, and my dick popped free.
Throbbing for her, I knew if she so much as touched me, I wasn’t going to last.
A shaky breath reached my ears, and I peeked down to find her staring in wonder at my thick erection. Shaking her head, she mused, “Can’t believe you fit this thing inside me. Or maybe I can. I still feel you with every step I take.”
White-knuckling the counter, I resisted the urge to fist her hair and fuck her face. My mission was to show her I was nothing like the assholes she’d been with before, and that meant putting her pleasure above my own. But if she wanted to take the initiative, I sure as hell wasn’t about to stop her.
“Last night was . . .” Gemma’s words died off, her eyes flashing to mine. “It was amazing. I never knew it could be like that. And not only the sex, though that was mind-blowing and I’m still trying to process it.” A husky laugh flew past my lips. “Men don’t treat a woman like me with respect and kindness.”
A woman like her? What the hell is she talking about?
She gave a subtle shake of her head. “I just . . . I just wanted to say thank you.”
With my free hand, I stroked her soft cheek. “As stunning as you look on your knees for me, you can stand up right now if you’re only down there because you think you owe me something for caring for you the way you deserve. Respect and kindness should be the standard, not the exception.”
“In your world, maybe. But not in mine.”
What did that mean? We lived in the same world.
Before I had time to question her about it, she parted her lips and swallowed my cock, taking me as deep as she could.
“Fuck! Gemma!” I shouted, having been taken by surprise.
The satisfied hum she let out around my shaft settled in my balls, and I started running through save percentages of the all- time great goalies to try and keep from blowing my load in less than thirty seconds.
It wasn’t working.
Her mouth was so warm and wet that when she hollowed out her cheeks, suctioning those sinful lips like a vacuum as she bobbed on my length, I was a goner.
“Baby,” I gritted out. “Slow down, or I’m gonna come.”
Instead of being a deterrent, that spurred Gemma on, and she increased her pace, working her way further down my cock until she gagged.
“Gem, please.” I wasn’t sure if I was begging her to stop or keep going.
Her fingernails dug into my ass, keeping me steady as she struggled to take me all the way down her throat, moaning in an attempt to relax those muscles.
That eagerness finally snapped my control.
Hand tangling in her loose black tresses, I yanked her head back, forcing myself impossibly deeper down her throat. Tears leaked from heavy-lidded eyes that peered up at me, practically glowing gold.
“Filthy girl. So fucking needy for my cock,” I gritted out. “Choke on it.”
I held myself there as she gagged, following my command perfectly. Not that I gave her much choice.
Granting her mercy, I pulled out of her mouth, letting her drag in a few deep breaths before shoving back in.
“I’m gonna fuck your face now, baby. Okay?”
Gemma gave the tiniest nod, granting me permission to use her mouth to get off.
Bracing one hand on the counter, I widened my stance, thrusting my hips in a punishing pace, going deeper each time until I bumped the back of her throat repeatedly. Her lips were stretched to the max around me, and that sight alone had my balls tightening.
“I’m gonna come,” I panted in warning.
If she’d shoved at my thighs, struggled, or given any indication she wasn’t ready to swallow, I would have pulled out and come anywhere else but down her throat. But she didn’t, and that was the green light I needed to let go.
White-hot pleasure burst through every cell of my body as my cock swelled, and I came with a roar, continuing to thrust until she’d sucked me dry before letting my length slip from her lips.
My chest heaved as I struggled to draw in air after the intensity of an orgasm wrung from her sexy, currently smirking mouth.
From the look on her face, I could tell she knew exactly how she affected me and was enjoying the control I allowed.
Good. I wanted her to feel empowered, not only in our sexual relationship, but the deeper one I was determined to foster over our years spent together.
Yes, there would be times when I took charge, but always with her best interests at heart. I would never intentionally steamroll her or make her feel like her opinion didn’t matter.
We were a team, and she was my partner.
With my pants still pooled at my ankles, I bent over to grab her waist and haul her to standing. The second her mouth was within reach, I slid my tongue deep inside.
Gemma tore her lips away, panting, “Wait. My mouth was just—”
A growl vibrated my chest as I cut her off. “You think I fucking care? You literally sucked the soul from my body through my dick, and if I want to kiss you after, I’ll damn well do it.”
Wide hazel eyes peered up at me, her mouth hanging open. “I can’t figure you out.”
I nipped at her lower lip, tugging it between my teeth until she moaned. “I’m here. I’m yours. What more do you need?”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“In my mind, it is. I’ve been crazy about you since the minute you tore into me at the DMV.”
She gave me that adorable-as-hell eye roll. “Doesn’t that make me crazy too?”
Humming, I peppered kisses along her jaw. “Maybe it means we are a perfect match.”
Fingers tangling in my hair, she tugged to bring my mouth to hers, letting her tongue slip inside, proving that one night wasn’t enough to satisfy her.
As I backed her against the counter, my cock was already hardening again, pressed against her hip. It took all my strength to break away from our kiss, our ragged breathing mixing with our foreheads pressed together.
“Eat. Then nap,” I forced out.
Gemma snaked a hand between us to grip my shaft, and I grunted when she squeezed. “Is nap code for . . .” She gave me a suggestive smirk as she stroked me.
I allowed myself exactly five seconds to enjoy her touch before peeling her fingers away and reaching down to pull up my pants.
“Greedy girl,” I teased. Guiding her back to the stool, I grabbed a plate and piled a little of everything onto it.
She gave me a smile so genuine it nearly knocked me on my ass. “Thank you.”
Kissing the top of her head, I breathed in her scent before returning to the opposite side of the counter and digging into the food I’d brought for us to share.
When she noticed me watching her eat, the prettiest pink hue crept onto her cheeks, and she lowered her lashes.
“Good?” I prompted.
She nodded, humming in the affirmative as she chewed. When she swallowed, she accused, “You’re staring.”
A corner of my lips hitched up. “Sorry, but I can’t help it. You’re so damn beautiful, and I’m headed on the road after the game tonight. I want to memorize your face so that when I close my eyes, you’re right there.”
That flush moved down her neck as she dropped her gaze to her plate. “You can’t say things like that.”
“Why not?” I challenged.
“Because.”
“That’s not an answer, Gemma.”
Her whole body heaved with a heavy sigh. “Because I might get used to it.”
“I fail to see how that’s a problem.”
Swallowing, she peeked at me from across the counter. “It’s just going to make it harder when you leave.”
That’s what she was worried about?
“It’s a couple of days. We’ll be back by the weekend. But if it makes you feel any better, I’ll miss you too.”
Gemma shook her head. “No, when you leave for good.”
“What?” My voice rose, and she nearly levitated a foot off her stool at my harsh tone.
Dragging a hand down my face, I mumbled, “Sorry,” before declaring, “I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.”
“You say that now, but—”
“No. No buts. Not a single one, do you hear me? I’m in your life. Permanently. That’s a fact.”
“Sasha,” Gemma said on an exhale.
“I’m not having this argument with you, babe.” I grabbed her plate and scraped the food left behind into the trash before rinsing it in the sink. Counting to three in my head, I turned around, closing the distance between us with my hand extended. “Time for our nap.”
I could see the wheels turning in her head, ready to fight back. She was so convinced that we had an expiration date, that it was possible for me to walk away now that I’d found my perfect match. But wisely, she tabled our argument and slipped her palm against mine as I led her up the stairs and into her bedroom.
Lying down, I held my arms open for her to snuggle against me. After only a beat of hesitation, Gemma crawled toward me, turning so that her back was flush with my front, and I banded an arm around her waist, keeping her close.
My eyes drifted shut, and I was halfway to unconsciousness when Gemma spoke, her voice soft. “Sasha?”
“Yeah?” I stroked her stomach over the fabric of her sweater.
“I took the pill.”
Pushing down the disappointment, reminding myself that she wasn’t ready, I whispered back, “I know,” before kissing the soft skin of her shoulder.
She turned in my arms, eyes searching mine. “You’re not mad?”
My hand came to rest on her cheek. “No, sweetheart.”
Gemma let out a relieved breath.
There would be time later to have a proper conversation about this aspect of our future, but for now, I simply wanted to hold her.
Nothing had ever felt so right as having her in my arms. With her warm body tucked securely against mine, I was at peace.